April 17 birthdays and deaths:

Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was a renowned American statesman, scientist, and philosopher. He was born in 1706, and served as Pennsylvania's 6th President from 1785-1788. He was a leading figure in the Enlightenment, inventor of bifocal glasses and lightning rod, and played a key role in drafting the US Constitution.

Deathyear: 1790

Chyna

Chyna was an American professional wrestler, model, and actress. Born Joan Marie Laurer on December 27, 1969, she was a prominent figure in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) from 1997 to 2001, known for her strong and powerful physique.

Deathyear: 2016

Linda McCartney

Linda McCartney was a talented photographer, activist, and musician who captured iconic images with her camera lens. She was also a devoted wife to Paul McCartney and a passionate advocate for animal rights and environmental issues, leaving a lasting legacy of love and compassion.

Deathyear: 1998

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was a renowned Indian philosopher and politician who served as the 2nd President of India from 1962 to 1967. Born in 1888, he was a prominent figure in Indian independence movement and was also a celebrated educator and thinker.

Deathyear: 1975

Doris Roberts

Doris Roberts was a renowned American actress, best known for her iconic role as Marie Barone on the beloved sitcom "Everybody Loves Raymond". With a career spanning over six decades, she won four Emmy Awards and holds a special place in the hearts of audiences and colleagues alike.

Deathyear: 2016

Barbara Bush

Barbara Bush, a devoted wife, mother, and public servant, served as the First Lady of the United States from 1989-1993 and the Second Lady from 1981-1989. She was a dedicated advocate for literacy and education, and was beloved for her warm and humbling demeanor.

Deathyear: 2018

Gabriel García Márquez

Gabriel García Márquez was a renowned Colombian journalist and author known for his magical realism style. A two-time winner of the Cervantes Prize, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1982 for his "inventions that with the examples of a labyrinth put the weary reality under the ribs of an attentive reader."

Deathyear: 2014

Eddie Cochran

Eddie Cochran was a British-born American singer-songwriter and guitarist known for his smooth, distinctive voice and rocking guitar riffs. His music, a mix of rockabilly, country, and rock 'n' roll, influenced many artists, including The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

Deathyear: 1960

John Paul Getty Jr.

John Paul Getty Jr., the youngest son of oil tycoon J. Paul Getty, was a philanthropist and art collector. Born in 1932, he was known for his charitable work and prominent art collection, donating to institutions such as the Getty Museum and the J. Paul Getty Trust.

Deathyear: 2003

Dick Shawn

Dick Shawn (1923-1987) was a talented American actor, known for his distinctive voice, eccentric stage presence, and memorable film roles in "The Producers" and "Blackball," showcasing his unique comedic talents.

Deathyear: 1987

Michael Sarrazin

Michael Sarrazin was a Canadian actor born in 1940. He gained fame for his roles in films like "This Property Is Condemned" and "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?". Known for his rugged charm and versatility, Sarrazin's career spanned over three decades.

Deathyear: 2011

Kitty Carlisle

Kitty Carlisle, a renowned actress, singer, and socialite, delighted audiences in films, television, and stage productions. Known for her charming on-screen presence, she also appeared on game shows, showcasing her quick wit and playful humor. Born in 1910, she left a lasting legacy in the entertainment industry.

Deathyear: 2007

Chaim Herzog

Chaim Herzog was an Israeli general, lawyer, and politician who served as the 6th President of Israel from 1993 until his death in 1992. He was a prominent figure in Israeli politics, known for his strong personality and commitment to his country's security.

Deathyear: 1997

Kateri Tekakwitha

Kateri Tekakwitha, also known as the Lily of the Mohawks, was a 17th-century Mohawk-born saint. Born in 1656, she converted to Christianity at 18, underwent extreme penance, and devoted her life to spreading Catholicism among her people. She was beatified in 1980 and canonized in 2012.

Deathyear: 1680

Juana Inés de la Cruz

Juana Inés de la Cruz, a brilliant Mexican poet and scholar, was born in 1651. Known as the "Tenth Muse" of Mexico, she wrote extensively on love, spirituality, and philosophy, challenging social norms and earning her a place in the country's literary history.

Deathyear: 1695

Ralph Abernathy

Ralph Abernathy Jr. was a prominent civil rights leader and minister who worked alongside Martin Luther King Jr. He continued King's work after King's assassination, leading the Poor People's Campaign and advocating for economic justice and civil rights for African Americans.

Deathyear: 1990

Joseph I, Holy Roman Emperor

Joseph I, Holy Roman Emperor, was crowned in 1690. He was the eldest son of Leopold I and Margaret Theresa. Known for his moderate approach to politics, Joseph I maintained the balance of power in Europe and promoted trade and commerce during his reign from 1690 to 1711.

Deathyear: 1711

Felix Pappalardi

Felix Pappalardi was an American singer-songwriter, bass player, and producer, best known for his work with Cream, Mountain, and Swirling Eddies. His soulful voice and innovative playing style significantly influenced 1960s and 1970s rock music.

Deathyear: 1983

Aimé Césaire

Aimé Césaire was a pioneering poet, playwright, and politician from Martinique, known for his powerful works that explored the richness of Caribbean culture, the impact of colonialism, and the struggles of black identity.

Deathyear: 2008

Turgut Özal

Turgut Özal was a trailblazing Turkish engineer and politician who served as the 8th President of Turkey from 1989 until his passing in 1993. He played a crucial role in Turkey's economic reforms and democratization, earning him a lasting legacy as a modernizing leader.

Deathyear: 1993

Kantarō Suzuki

Kantarō Suzuki was a Japanese admiral and politician who served as the 42nd Prime Minister of Japan from 1945 to 1947. Born in 1868, he played a key role in Japan's military conquests and later contributed to the country's post-war reconstruction and democratization efforts.

Deathyear: 1948

Danny Federici

Danny Federici, a renowned American musician, was born in 1950. He was a skilled organist and accordion player, known for his work with Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. Federici's distinctive keyboard playing added depth and character to the band's iconic songs.

Deathyear: 2008

Alan García

Alan García was the President of Peru, born in 1949, serving as the 71st and 76th President of Peru from 1985 to 1990 and again from 2006 to 2011.

Deathyear: 2019

Proclus

Proclus (412-485 CE) was a renowned Greek mathematician and philosopher from Constantinople. He revived interest in ancient mathematics and philosophy, particularly Euclid and Aristarchus. His commentaries on Euclid's "Elements" and other works remain significant in the history of mathematics and philosophy.

Deathyear: 485

Robert Atkins (physician)

Robert C. Atkins was a renowned American physician and cardiologist who revolutionized the world of dietetics with his low-carb, high-fat approach. Born in 1930, Atkins' groundbreaking work led to the creation of the eponymous Atkins diet, a popular low-carb diet that has helped millions worldwide achieve weight loss and improved health.

Deathyear: 2003

Radu Lupu

Romanian pianist Radu Lupu is renowned for his elegant and introspective playing style. Born in Bucharest in 1945, he has performed with major orchestras and collaborated with renowned conductors, earning praise for his interpretations of Mozart, Chopin, and Brahms.

Deathyear: 2022

Bernard of Italy

Bernard of Italy, also known as Bernard of Septimania, was a Frankish king who ruled over the Kingdom of Italy from 818 until his death in 818. He was born in 797 and was the eldest son of King Pepin of Italy.

Deathyear: 818

Louise Nevelson

Louise Nevelson was a pioneering Ukrainian-American sculptor and educator, born in 1900. Known for her assemblage sculptures, she combined found objects to create large-scale, abstract forms. Her uniquevision and skill earned her numerous awards and recognition as a leading figure in modern American art.

Deathyear: 1988

Alexander Mackenzie (politician)

Alexander Mackenzie was a Scottish-Canadian politician who served as the 2nd Prime Minister of Canada from 1873 to 1878. Born in 1822 in Logierait, Perthshire, Scotland, Mackenzie emigrated to Canada as a young man and became involved in politics, eventually becoming Prime Minister and leading a minority government.

Deathyear: 1892

Karpal Singh

Karpal Singh was a Malaysian lawyer and politician who served as the Secretary-General of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) from 1990 to 2014. He was a vocal critic of the government and advocated for human rights.

Deathyear: 2014

Marcel Dassault

Marcel Dassault, a French entrepreneur and inventor, founded Dassault Aviation in 1929. Born in 1892, Dassault pioneered aircraft manufacturing and innovations, leaving a lasting legacy in the aviation industry.

Deathyear: 1986

Al-Walid II

Al-Walid II, the 30th Umayyad caliph, ruled from 743 to 744 CE. Born in 706 CE, he was a grandson of Caliph Abd al-Malik and hailed from the Banu Makhzum clan. During his reign, he faced unrest and revolt from the governor of Khurasan.

Deathyear: 744

Cecil Harmsworth King

Cecil Harmsworth King was a renowned English publisher and 1st Baron King, born in 1901. He served as chairman of the Daily Mirror and the Mirror Group Newspapers Limited, and was a significant figure in British journalism and publishing.

Deathyear: 1987

V. S. Ramadevi

V. S. Ramadevi was an Indian politician who served as the 13th Governor of Karnataka from 1999 to 2002. Born in 1934, she was a prominent leader in the Indian National Congress party, known for her social and women's rights activism.

Deathyear: 2013

Roger Wolcott Sperry

Roger Wolcott Sperry, an American psychologist and biologist, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1983. He discovered the part of the brain that controls movement and sensation, earning him recognition for his groundbreaking work in neuroscience.

Deathyear: 1994